A Bibliographical Antiquarian and Picturesque Tour in France and Germany.

DIBDIN, Rev. Thomas Frognall (1776-1847).

London: Printed for the author, by W. Bulmer and W. Nicol, Shakspeare Press, and Sold by Payne and Foss, Longman, Hurst and Co., 1821. [Bibliographical Travel] FIRST EDITION. Complete in three volumes. Octavo (26 x 17cm), pp.[8] xxxii; 462; lxxx [4]; pp.[8] 555 [5]; pp.[5] 622; lxii [4]. With a total of 146 engraved illustrations, including 83 plates, and 63 in-text. Occasional use of colour, as in the facsimile of a section from the Bayeux Tapestry, and occasional hinged plates. Also including two indexes (of Books and Manuscripts, and of Persons, Places and Things) to volume I, and the Supplement to volume III. In a later binding of tan full morocco, with gilt titles and decoration to spines, and gilt ruling to boards. All edges gilt, with green-coated endpapers. A tissue guard for each engraving, including those in-text. A mark to front pastedown of volume I where a bookplate has been carefully removed. Armorial bookplates of Hog of Newliston to other volumes. Hinges split, with repairs where applicable. A lovely crisp, clean example of the text, with hardly any spotting. Wear and browning to spines, with some rippling to upper board of volume III. Very good. The first of the inimitable Rev. Dibdin's Bibliographical Antiquarian tours, made shortly after the end of the long-running wars with France, along with everyone else and his dog who could afford it, apparently. Dibdin's tour, however, is unique in being one made with the chief purpose of admiring fine libraries across the continent, though of course architecture and local manners are considered as well. Dibdin is best-known as the founder of the Roxburghe Club, convened initially to mark the sale of the Duke of Roxburghe's famous library in June 1812, and then re-formed each year on its anniversary. It became the very first Book Club, and remains the most exclusive in the world, with no more than 40 active members at any one time. Item #60084

Price: £695.00